Flight Nurse - At Your Service in the Air

2007-10-15 12:53:47

( Business )



Duties of a Flight Nurse

Like a regular staff nurse, a flight nurse assists doctors in attending to the medical needs of patients. However, a flight nurse does more than just that. The flight nurse delivers services under very stressful conditions as part of a medical crew on board an air ambulance.

The air ambulance transports patients from remote areas to the nearest medical facilities. Often, the air ambulance has to handle emergency cases resulting from natural disasters or violent human acts. While in flight, the flight nurse and other medical crew members have to make sure that the patient is given appropriate attention and emergency care during the flight. At times, even the lives of the medical crew are also placed on the line as it flies through extreme conditions like fire, stormy weather, dark murky water or war zones.

Career Opportunities for Flight Nurses

The demands of a flight nurse's job are tougher compared to emergency room or traveling nurse jobs. Not many nurses can handle the pressures especially of life-and-death situations aboard an air ambulance. As accidents, disasters or crime can happen anywhere, there is always a demand for highly qualified flight nurses who can be available anytime the inevitable occurs.

You can choose to serve either the civilian or military sector. There are more training requirements and qualifications for military flight nurses.

Training and Requirements for Flight Nurses

You need to finish an undergraduate or graduate degree in nursing. You also need to be certified in emergency care, intensive care and life support procedures. You also need to be a registered nurse, which means passing a national nursing licensure examination.

If you want to be a military flight nurse, you need to comply with more stringent requirements such as age and special military training with the Air Force including their own six-week flight nurse program.

Where to Take Flight Nurse Training

Most reputable colleges and universities offer the basic nursing undergraduate and graduate degree programs. You also need to inquire about where you can take the specialized flight nurse subjects after you complete your nursing degree.

You also need to contact the Air Force to apply for the military flight nurse programs.

Where and How to Apply for Jobs

The best way to begin your career is by working under a regular hospital setting first, preferably in the emergency room or intensive care unit. This is because most air ambulance companies prefer to hire nurses who are already experienced in emergency situations.

You can also inquire with air ambulance companies about any job vacancies. As turnover is quite low, you need to be very patient while waiting for any opportunity. In the meantime, you can start taking up further flight nurse training courses to prepare yourself.


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